CHANGE
Today’s Reading: 2 Samuel 20-21
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Israeli army recruits stand atop an old tank that was used in a previous armed conflict. There are hundreds of tanks on display at the Armoured Corps Memorial at Latrun, Israel.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: 2 Samuel 21:1, 14b
Now there was famine in the days of David for three years, year after year; and David inquired of the Lord. And the Lord answered, “It is because of Saul and his bloodthirsty house, because he killed the Gibeonites.”…So they performed all that the king had commanded. And after that God heeded the prayer for the land.
As the above photo illustrates, not much has changed in the human condition. Yes, there were no battle tanks mentioned in today’s reading, just swords and spears, but people are people… except for the night and day change that happens in the human heart when Jesus comes in to dwell. We may well have been discouraged after today’s reading. Just in case that is the case, our key verses point out to us that God answered prayer for people 3,000 years ago. He still answers prayer today. Samuel was dead. Nathan the prophet did not show up with a Word from God. It appears that the political and military leaders did their own thing. It’s important that we don’t blame God for the mess Israel was in. Even so today, it’s our fault that the world is so badly messed up. It’s the story of fallen humanity. A humanity given free will by God needs to turn around, repent, and find God’s will.
The words found in 2 Chronicles 7:14 tell us that if we humble ourselves and pray, God will forgive our sins and heal our land. For encouragement we may want to read 2 Chronicles 7:12-18.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I humble myself in Your presence. I seek Your face as You told David’s son, Solomon, to do. I turn away from all wickedness, repenting with deep sorrow. I claim Your promise of forgiveness and healing. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
Please forgive me, but I can’t possibly cover what is in my heart and mind in just 100 words — here goes!
I recently read a book called, Rome’s Last Citizen, the life and legacy of Cato, who is called by the authors the “mortal enemy of Caesar.” The years covered in the book are in the decades prior to the coming of Jesus. It describes a history of even greater evil than that of Israel in King David’s time. For four years I studied Latin, the language of Rome, doing translations on examination papers and learning about the longest lasting empire ever. Before the Caesar dynasty, Rome had, for some time, operated in a hit-and-miss fashion under a constitution. It sounded good on paper, but the reality was that the leaders manipulated the constitution and the people for their own self-centred purposes. In 1968 I made my first visit to the Soviet Union. I read carefully their constitution. It was filled with high ideals which would appear to be the fulfillment of the Words of the Bible, like “Love your neighbour as yourself.” I was well aware that under that constitution Lenin and Stalin murdered millions of people. What evil there is in human hearts. My consistent longing, whether reading the history of Rome or the Soviet constitution, or today’s reading about Israel, is “O Jesus, only You can change the human heart. Only Your indwelling presence can enable me to live up to God’s standards of moral behaviour, truly loving my neighbour as myself.” In modern Rome, “Vivere al Cento Per Cento,” our Italian television productions, were released in the 1980’s. The way of salvation, by faith in Jesus alone, was clearly presented. This was a first, to my knowledge. In the Soviet Union, the Crossroads Creation series and our children’s series, Kingdom Adventure, were released on state television across all 15 republics (translated into Russian). This was another first for the message of Jesus in an officially atheistic state. In Israel, my son-in-law, Nizar Shaheen, who is ordained in the Nazareth Baptist Church, shared the Gospel of Jesus on Channel One in both of his first languages, Arabic and Hebrew. This was state television, and for several years prior for Christmas and Easter, Nizar was asked to explain how Christians understood the Hebrew prophecies concerning the birth, death, and resurrection of Christ. I’m more convinced than ever that “Jesus changes everything” when He lives in the hearts of people.
Yours with an expression of Joy as I heard a new believer say, “Three cheers for Jesus!”
David
P.S. Below are pictures of two of the three mobile TV production trucks that Crossroads supporters provided for Europe. They served in Rome, The Soviet Union, and Israel. They moved around to Belgium, Germany, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Austria and Finland. Our world desperately needs Jesus and His message. The latest report I have received shows that our School of Broadcasting graduates are serving the Lord in TV in at least 90 countries. These are spiritual battle tanks!
Amen spread the gospel at every opportunity. Thanking Jesus for all He did.
Amen, Dale!
OMG! as the young people say these days; talk about tangled webs! Today’s study certainly points out man’s ability to be evil.
Praise our heavenly Father that he loves us so much. I often try to understand how much God loves us, so knowing how much I love His birds, animals,wildlife and all the beauty in this world He has created for us to enjoy, I try to multiply that by a billion and realize that wouldn’t even be enough. Jesus was crucified for us all to show the love He possesses for us.
Thanks for all the great pictures Reynold and may God bless you for taking on a part of Africa.
Just some quotes I found online I liked:
“Today is Maundy Thursday. Tonight, Jesus will pray in the Garden of Gethsemane so fervently that his sweat will become “like great drops of blood falling to the ground” (Luke 22:44). This night he will choose to take our collective sins on his sinless soul and die in our place as our atoning sacrifice.” Dr. Jim Denison
“If we have responded to the external call in repentance and faith, it is only because God has first been at work in us to turn us to himself in Christ. Salvation is truly by grace alone. This truth is unsettling, but Jesus unsettles us for a reason. He wants us to find salvation and life in him alone, by grace alone. And only in Christ may we find an everlasting, unshakeable foundation.” Guy Waters (PhD, Duke University)
Amen, Lynda!
Beautiful quotes Lynda, thank you for them, they speak to my heart and I feel that they are just what I need to hear today!
Yes it is all about Jesus and HIS grace to us!
Bless you this Easter, as well, Anne!!
All of David’s achievements in spreading God’s words and faith leave me feeling ‘inadaquate’.As he often points out,’our nation (& western societies) needs to get back to God’.Individually we all/most seem to feel ‘chicken’ when we leave the churches.We get watered down when amongst the unbelievers and want to blend in.The result is,we behave like them,never mentioning our faith or Jesus.Perhaps that is an indicator that our faith is not as strong as we think?
Yesterday I was prevented from posting.I clicked on the personal information properly but each time I clicked post I got a “duplicate post” message.Ehe same thing seems to be happening today.My information is there but so are the red asterisks on each line.Yall have a great day.God bless
PS:Almost forgot.This came to me in ‘about 10’ min,as normal back then.I knew it was about the US….nuff said
Under God
One nation under God that denies Me,
Will fall apart and be devoured,
If you refuse my love that’s free,
As if I am something now soured.
Your enemies have delivered my warning,
Therefore turn back to find truth,
For the wolves only bring mourning
From the sacrifice of your youth.
Greed is now what too many now preach,
For the demon has reached within,
But you can still change to teach,
So the children may turn from sin.
If you allow the wolves in their power,
To consume with endless thirst,
Then you are guilty at this hour
In helping bring about the worst.
So remove the wolves behind the crown,
For they are deeply entrenched,
And let them and their filth drown
As my laws are tightly clenched.
G W (Bill) Marshall / 11/09/2013
14 if my people, who are called by my
name, will humble themselves and pray
and seek my face and turn from their
wicked ways, then I will hear from
heaven, and I will forgive their sin and
will heal their land.2 Chronicles 7
Praise God !
Amen, Bill!
Great message, this morning, after heavy scripture. “The night and day change that happens in the human heart when Jesus comes in to dwell” is phenomenal to experience and witness in others. Indeed, we are encouraged because “He still answers prayer today.” Please keep me in your prayers today for extra strength and energy. Very windy here in Prince Edward County. Wishing all saints a blessed day. May His love and light shine through you.
Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. Colossians 2:6-7
I’d Rather Have Jesus – Selah
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bt_1sAg-Q40
God less you Beverlee Kay please pray for me also, DESPERATELY NEEDED A FINANCIAL BREAKTHROUGH TO CLEAR ALL DEBTS,HELP FAMILY;MAYE INVEST SOME FOR A BETTER INCOME AND THEN JUST CONTINUE TO SERVE OTHERS, I REALLY ENJOY DOING THAT FOR THE LORD! MEET VERY NICE PEOPLE TY LORD IN JESUS NAME WE PRAY AMEN
Dear Beverlee my prayer for you today is ” The Lord is my strength and my refuge; and fortress, a very present help in trouble” and I also pray that He will restore and refresh you, Spirit, soul and body; that the Peace of God will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus; Amen and Amen! thank you Jesus for answered prayer!!!
Thank you Sister Irene! Such a wonderful prayer!! ????
Will remember you in prayer, Beverlee. For energy and strength. I have a number of people that I pray for. Will add you also.
We are experiencing some wind and rain here with the promise of more for tomorrow and Saturday. Easter Sunday looks promising, I hope so, I have family coming for supper. God is so good, I’m looking forward to the family get together.
God bless each and everyone reading this blog.
Thank you Nan. God’s blessings to you and your family on Easter Sunday!
I have this spare room; I used to have people stay here; they liked the place,it is a room,bath,own entrance for busy mature working person; non smoker,no alcohol,no pets,no parties, no drugs, someone who perhaps may work afternoon shifts; Lord hear my prayer Lord; bless this Website and all who share their stories TY Lord in Jesus Name I Pray amen
Going to Maundy Thursday services at 7 p.m. with communion;very thankful for evening service, bless all who partake in communion, in Jesus Name we Pray amen
I wish there was a Maundy Thursday service to go to here, alas, there is not. Have you put an ad in the paper; often there is a free ad section, Sah. Your room sounds as if it would be perfect for someone but maybe they don’t know about it. I pray that this person finds out and seeks you out. God bless you for the people you speak to at night about the Lord and survival. Hope you are enjoying your service.
Amen Beverly, agreeing with you for Sah!
Wishing everyone a Blessed Easter!
What a Wonderful Saviour! What love! How can we ever thank God for such a salvation plan? May we walk humbly before Him and live a life that glorifies His Holy Name!
Praying for you , dear Beverlee and also for Sah and all who have asked for prayer.